De-beaking devices



DE-BEAKING DEVICES 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. W. LO'CHMILLER Filed April 27, 1956 Jan. 20, 1959 2 4g 4 hair 3 20 0 4 4 3 INVENTOR. JESSE W. LQCHMILLER BY ATTORNEY FIG. IA

FIG; 3

Jan. 20, 1959 J. w. LOCHMILLER 2,869,549

I DEQBEAKING DEVICES Filed April 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Shaet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR. JESSE W. LOCHMILLER BY Q A 7'TORNE).

Stats 1 nits This invention relates to means for de-beaking or trimming the beaks of poultry.

As is well known, poultry, even the young birds, will often attack each other and engage in cannibalism, particularly when confined in relatively close quarters or when large numbers are confined under relatively crowded conditions as in hatcheries or the like. It has been found that by trimming the beaks, particularly the upper jaw, this trouble is overcome.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved and a novel de-beaking device or means for trimming the beaks of poultry.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of this character whereby the upper jaw of the beak of a bird may be trimmed without cutting the lower jaw.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character adapted to remove or cut off a predetermined portion of the end of the upper jaw.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having gauge means whereby the amount of the beak cut oif is limited.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character by which the fowl may be quickly handled and the beaks trimmed accurately.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is extremely rapid in operation so that the number of birds trimmed in a given length of time is greatly increased over the capacity of prior devices of which applicant is aware.

Still another object is to provide a device of this character that is simple and sturdy in construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is simple and reliable in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufiiciently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the primciples disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operations that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a de-beaking or beak trimming device embodying the present'invention;

Fig. 1A is a sectional view taken on line 1A--1A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3.- 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame of the device;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the arm rest used With the device; and

Fig. 6 is an end view of said arm rest.

. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device comprises, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a frame having a substantially horizontal base plate-10 with openings 12 for screws or bolts, not shown, wherewith the frame is securedto a table top 13 or thelike. A vertical member 14 is secured to the plate 10 by any suitable means, such .as welding 16, for example, and at the upper end of said vertical member is a horizontalarm or' member 18 which may be integral with the member 14 or secured thereto as by welding or other suitable means. Members 14 and 18 are of angle iron or the like, as best shown in Fig. 1A, although said members may be of other cross sectional shape such as round, square or the like. A brace 20 across the corner at the junction of said members 14 and 18 is secured to said members by any suitable means, said means being shown at welding 22.

Member or arm 18 supports a clipping device comprising a pair of arms 28 and 30 pivoted at 32. The blades 3 are at one side of the pivot adjacent the free ends of the arm 18 and the respective handles 36 and 38 are at the opposite side of said pivot. The blades have crescent shaped beveled portions 40 which have cooperating arcuate cutting edges 42 so that when the blades are separated or open there is a generally oval shaped opening defined by said cutting edges.

Handle 36 extends substantially parallel with the arm 13 toward the end thereof secured to the upright member 14, and said handle terminates at its free end in a ring 44. The side 46 of the member 18 is in a vertical plane and has an opening 47 therethrough for reception of a bolt or screw 48 for securing the handle 36 to said side 46. At the outer side of the ring 44 is a plate 5%) having a central opening in which said screw 48 is received and a nut 52 is provided on said screw to tightly clamp the ring 44 between said side 46 and the plate 5 A centering washer 54 is disposed within the ring 44 and has a hole therein for reception of said screw, thereby providing means for centering the screw with respect to the ring and for maintaining the blades of the device in the proper position, as will be described hereinafter.

The handle 33 is provided with an elongated loop 56 at the outer end thereof, said loop defining an elongated slot 58. Ring 44 extends outwardly in the plane of the handle 36 and the loop 56 extends outwardly in the plane of the handle 38 oppositely of the ring.

Means for actuating member 28 of the clipper device comprises a lever 60 pivotally secured to the brace 20 by means of a screw 62 received in openings provided therefor in the lever intermediate the ends thereof and in the brace lit. The forwardly extending portion of the lever is provided with pin or lug'64 adjacent the free end thereof, said pin having one end secured to the lever by any suitable means, such as brazing or the like for example. The pin 64 extends laterally of thelever and is operably received in the slot 58 and slides therein when the lever 62 is actuated. Opening movement of the clipper device is limited by engagement of said lug with the outer end of said slot 58. Closing movement of the blades may be limited by engagement of the handles with each other or by any other suitable means, one of which is hereinafter described.

A spring 66 is used to yieldingly urge the lever in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4, said spring having one end received in an opening 68 provided therefor in the forwardly extending portion of said lever, the opposite end of said spring is received in one of a plurality of openings 70 in the side 72 of the member 14 which is in the same plane as the side 46 of the member 18. As the openings 70 are spaced apart longitudinally of the member 72 the spring forceon lever 62 may be varied.

Lever 62 is actuated in the opposite or clockwise direction by the operators foot which is receivable in a stirrup 74 connected to the rearwardly extending portion of said lever 62 adjacent the free end of said rearwardly extendingportion by means of a chain 76, there being a springi7$ interposed between said stirrup and said chain.

The stirrup is normally spaced above the floor 80 or other fixed element a distance such that when said stirrup is actuated downwardly against the force of spring 66 into engagement with the fioor the blades 34 of the slipper device are closed, the spring 66 returning said blades to the open position such as shown in Fig. 1. A more uniform and smooth cutting action is provided by the use of spring 73 in the connection between the stirrup 74 and the lever 62.

The blade end of the clipper device, including the pivot 32, extends outwardly beyond the free end 84 of side 46 of the member 18, side 86 of said member 18 which is in a horizontal plane, extending outwardly at 87 beyond said end 84 for supporting a gage member shaped like an angle iron, including a vertical side $1! and a horizontal side 92 which has a plurality of laterally extending slots 94 registering with openings 96 in the portion 87 of the side 86. Screws 98 are disposed in said openings gt: and slots 94 and are provided with nuts 1% for securing the gage member in adjusted positions. Side 90 of the gage is disposed vertically behind the blades 34 of the clipper device and because the slots 94 extend laterally of the side 92 theside 90 is movable toward and away from said blades, the spacing of said side 96 from the blades determining the amount of the jaw of the beak that will be cut off, the jaw being inserted into the oval opening defined by the cutting edges 42 to a point where the free end or tip of the jaw touches the side 9%. With the jaw in this position the lever 62 is actuated by the operator pressing down the stirrup, thereby actuating the clipper device and closing the blades. The clipped oif end of the jaw of the beak drops down after being cut ofi";

An arm rest is used for supporting the arm of the operator used in placing the jaw of the bird between the clipper blades, said arm rest being so positioned with respect to the clipper device that the operators hand with which he places the jaw of the bird between the clipper blades is disposed conveniently close to said clipper blades. The arm rest comprises a top 110 having a pair of depending members 112 each of which has an opening therein for reception of a screw.114 having a nut 116 thereon. A support bracket 118 is provided for each member 112, each bracket having a horizontal base 12% with a longitudinally extending slot 122, and an upstanding or vertical portion 124 having a longitudinally extending slot 126. The brackets are secured to the table top 13 by means of screws or the like, not shown, disposed in the respective slots so that said brackets may be adjustably moved with respect to their length. Screws 114 are also received in the slots 126 of the portions 124 so the top 110 may be adjusted vertically, the screws 114 being adapted to secure the members 112 and portions 124 securely together when the top 110 has been positioned for convenient height.

Means for providing artificial illumination on the clipper device may be provided. A socket 130 for an electric light bulb, not shown, issupported at the free end of the horizontal portion 132 of a tubular support which includes a vertical portion 134 which extends through an opening provided therefor in the side 86 adjacent the junction thereof with the member 14. The lower end of the portion 134 of the tubular support is received in an opening provided therefor in the base 10, said lower end of support 134 being secured in said opening in the baseby any suitable means, such as, for example," by welding or brazing. A. reflector .136 may be attached to the socket 130 in the well known manner to direct the light and shield the eyes of the operator. The electric cord, indicated by the dash line 140, extends through the tubular support to the socket 130.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages'will be understood from the foregoing description and it is thought that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely one embodiment by way of example.

I claim:

1. A de-beaker, comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a support; a frame formed of angle iron and including an upstanding portion having the lower end thereof secured to the base, and an arm extending horizontally from the upper end of said upstanding portion, one side of the arm being in a vertical plane and the other side being in a horizontal plane, the side in the vertical plane being shorter than the other side so ahorizontal free end portion extends outwardly longitudinally beyond the free end of the vertical side, and a brace across the corner at the junction of said vertical frame portion and arm; clipper means including a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof and ha ing blades at one side of the pivot and handles at the other side of said pivot, said blades having crescent shaped notches terminating in arcuate cutting edges facing each other for cooperative cutting action, a ring at the free end a of one handle; means for clamping said one handle to the arm of the frame, comprising a plate disposed at the outer side of said ring and screw means for securing said plate to said arm, a centering washer on said screw and within said ring, said one handle extending longitudinally of and in substantially parallel relationship to said arm with theblades and pivot for the clipper means disposed beyond the outer end of the side of the arm in said vertical plane; a loop at the free end of the other handle to define a slot extending longitudinally of said handle; a clipper actuating lever; means pivoting said lever iniermediate its ends to said brace to provide a forwardly extending lever portion and a rearwardly extending lever portion; a boss on the forwardly extending lever portion adjacent the free end thereof, said boss being 'slidably received in said slot of said other clipper handle; a foot engageable element; means connecting said element with the rearwardly extending lever portion adjacent the free end thereof; a spring interposed in the connecting means; spring means urging the lever in a direction to effect opening of the clipper blades; means for adjusting said spring means; means limiting opening movement of said clipper blades so said blades are normally separated to permit insertion therebetween of the beak of a bird; and gauge m-eans'secured to the horizontal free end portion of said arm and including a plate portion in substantially a vertical plane behind said blades and adapted to be engaged by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit inward movement of said beak between said blades; and means for adjusting said plate portion toward and away from said blades.

7 2. A de-beaker, comprising: a frame adapted to be secured to a support, said frame including an upstanding part and a substantially horizontal arm, and a brace across the corner formed at;the junction of said upstandingmember and said arm; a clipping device including a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof 'and having'blades at one side of said pivot and handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having arcuate shaped opposed cutting edges adapted to cooperate for cutting action and when said blades are open said arcuate cutting edges define a generally oval shaped opening, a ring at the free end of one of the handl s, and an elongated loop at the free end of the other handle defining an elongated slot extending lengthwise relative to said other handle; means for securing the handle with the ring to said arm intermediate the ends thereof, said means including 'a plate at the outer side of said ring, a screw securing said plate to said arm, and a centering device to center the ring on said'scre'w; a lever; means pivotally mountingsaid lever, intermediate the ends the-reof,'-to

1,- J said brace so there is a forwardly extending lever portion and a rearwardly extending lever portion; a lug on the forwardly extending lever portion adjacent the free end thereof, said lug being slidably received in said slot, for actuating said clipping device, engagement of the lug at the outer end of said slot limiting opening movement of the blades of said clipping device; yielding means urging the lever in a direction to open s aid blades; means for adjusting the effective force of said yielding means; a foot actuatable member; means connecting the rearwardly extending portion of the lever and said foot actuatable member, said means including a spring; gauge means secured to said arm, said gauge means being positioned behind the clipping device blades and being adapted to be engaged by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit inward movement of said beak between said blades; and means for adjusting said gauge.

3. A de-beaker, comprising: a frame adapted to be secured to a support, said frame including an upstanding part and a substantially horizontal arm, and a brace across the corner formed at the junction of said upstanding member and said arm; a clipping device including a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof and having blades at one side of said pivot and handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having arcuate shaped opposed cutting edges adapted to cooperate for cutting action and when said blades are open said arcuate cutting edges define a generally oval shaped opening, a ring at the free end of one of the handles, and an elongated loop at the free end of the other handle defining an elongated slot extending lengthwise relative to said handle; means for securing the handle with the ring to said arm intermediate the ends thereof, said means including a plate at the outer side of said ring, a screw securing said plate to said arm, and a centering device to center the ring on said screw; a lever; means pivotally mounting said lever, intermediate the ends thereof, to said brace so there is a forwardly extending lever portion and a rearwardly extending lever portion; a lug on the forwardly extending lever portion, adjacent the free end thereof, slidably received in said slot for actuating said clipping device, engagement of the lug 'at the outer end of said slot limiting opening movement of the blades of said clipping device; yielding means urging the lever in a direction to open said blades; a foot actuatable member; means connect-ing the rearwardly extending portion of the lever and said foot 'actuatable member, said means including a spring; and adjustable gauge means secured to said arm, said gauge means being positioned behind the clipping device blades and being adapted to be engaged by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit inward movement of said beak between said blades.

4. A de-beaker, comprising: a frame adapted to be secured to a support, said frame including an upstanding portion and a substantially horizontal arm; a clipping device including a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof and having blades at one side of said pivot and handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having arcuate shaped opposed cutting edges adapted to cooperate for cutting action and when said blades are open said arcuate cutting edges define a generally oval shaped opening, a ring at the free end of one handle, and an elongated loop at the free end of the other handle defining an elongated slot extending lengthwise relative to said handle; means for securing the handle with the ring to said arm intermediate the ends' thereof, said means including a plate at the outer side of said ring, and a screw securing said plate to said arm; a lever; means pivotally mounting said lever, intermediate the ends thereof, to said frame so there is a for wardly extending portion and a rearwardly extending portion; a lug on the forwardly extending portion adjacent the free end thereof, slidably received in said slot, for actuating said clipping device, engagement of the lug at the outer end of said slot limiting opening movement of the blades of said clipping device; yielding means urging the lever in a direction to open said blades; a foot engageable member; means connecting the rearwardly extending portion of the lever and said foot actuatable member, said means including a spring; and gauge means secured to said arm, said gauge means being positioned behind the clipping device blades and being adapted to be engaged by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit inward movement of said beak between said blades.

5. A de-beaker, comprising: a frame adapted to be secured to a support, said frame including an upstanding part and a substantially horizontal arm; a clipping device including a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof and having blades at one side of said pivot and handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having opposed cutting edges adapted to cooperate for cutting action, an elongated loop at the free end, one

handle forming an elongated slot extending lengthwise relative to said handle; means for securing the other handle to said arm intermediate the ends thereof; a lever; means pivotally mounting said lever, intermediate the ends thereof, to said frame; a lug on the lever at one side of the pivot thereof, said lug being slidably received in said slot for actuating said clipping device, engagement of the lug at one end of said slot limiting opening movement of the blades of said clipping device, yielding means urging the lever in a direction to open said blades; a member engageable by the foot of an operator; means connecting said member with said lever; and gauge means secured to said arm, said gauge means being positioned behind the clipping device blades and being adapted to be engaged by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit inward movement of said beak between said blades.

6. A de-beaker comprising: a frame adapted to be attached to a support; a clipping device comprising a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof, there being a pair of blades at one side of the pivot, and a pair of handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having arcuate shaped oppositely arranged cutting edges; means removably securing one of the handles to said frame; foot engageable means connected to the other handle for actuating said handle, the connecting means including yielding means and said foot engageable means being adapted to be limited in its movement to close said blades by engagement with a fixed element; yielding means urging the clipping device in the opening direction; means for adjusting the last mentioned yielding means; means for limiting opening movement of said clipping device; gauge means engageable by the tip of the beak of .a bird to limit insertion of said beak between said blades; and means for adjusting said gauge means.

7. In a de-beaker: a frame adapted to be attached to a support; a clipping device comprising a pair of members pivoted intermediate the ends thereof, there being a pair of blades at one side of the pivot, and a pair of handles at the opposite side of said pivot, said blades having contoured oppositely arranged cutting edges; means removably securing one of the handles to said frame; foot engageable means connected to the other handle for actuating said handle, the connecting means including yielding means and said foot engageable means being adapted to be limited in its movement to close said blades by engagement with a fixed element; yielding means urging the clipping device in the opening direction; means for limiting opening movement of said clipping device; and gauge means engageable by the tip of the beak of a bird to limit insertion of said beak between said blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNIT ED STATES PATENTS 517,706 Mossop Apr. 3, 1894 541,823 Bair July 2, 1895 938,741 Campbell Nov. 2, 1909 2,237,203 Swanson Apr. 1, 1941 

